Commercials Waste Valuable Years

M

mvsimmons

New Member
Location
Youngstown Oh
I get the fact that television's a relatively cheap form of entertainment. I even understand how some of us think it's a major factor in broadening our horizons. And by watching ads, we're paying for the privilege of having concealed voyeurism wired/aired straight into our homes.

But if you take a minute to think about it, you might be shocked at just how much of our lives is spent in front of a box. If you watch ten hours a day, that's three thousand six hundred and fifty hours a year. Times ten years is Thirty Six Thousand five hundred and if you live to be a hundred, you will have watched 365000 hours of TV. That's 15.208.33 years!

Even if you only watch half of that much, do you really think television's worth over seven and a half years of our time on earth? Now comes the kicker, I don't have the actual numbers to go by, but if around half of that is commercials, when you pass on you will have spent three to four years watching junk.

And the proverbial cherry is that you likely spend around a hundred American dollars a month just to be sold to. And by the time you've bought one of their products, you will have been tripled dipped and smothered in shame.

Moral of the story is, stop watching and start LIVING!
 

mvsimmons said:
I get the fact that television's a relatively cheap form of entertainment. I even understand how some of us think it's a major factor in broadening our horizons. And by watching ads, we're paying for the privilege of having concealed voyeurism wired/aired straight into our homes.

But if you take a minute to think about it, you might be shocked at just how much of our lives is spent in front of a box. If you watch ten hours a day, that's three thousand six hundred and fifty hours a year. Times ten years is Thirty Six Thousand five hundred and if you live to be a hundred, you will have watched 365000 hours of TV. That's 15.208.33 years!

Even if you only watch half of that much, do you really think television's worth over seven and a half years of our time on earth? Now comes the kicker, I don't have the actual numbers to go by, but if around half of that is commercials, when you pass on you will have spent three to four years watching junk.

And the proverbial cherry is that you likely spend around a hundred American dollars a month just to be sold to. And by the time you've bought one of their products, you will have been tripled dipped and smothered in shame.

Moral of the story is, stop watching and start LIVING!
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With all the television I'm watching, I really don't have the time for that minute. I'll just go on living my way. And I'm not all that crazy about adding, subtracting and multiplying anyway.

 
mvsimmons said:
Moral of the story is, stop watching and start LIVING!
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Television gives the viewer accessible source of current affairs, and they can learn about diverse cultures. TV promotes family time, it's a source of low-cost entertainment, a good way to pass the time for the elderly, it's accessible for the disabled and it has negative health effects.
Whilst I have scant time for television, it has given hours of pleasure to the less well off, the housebound and the lonely. The adverts often insult our intelligence but the alternative, as we have in the UK, is a television licence, a tax in other words, that funds the BBC. Despite the licence and the pathetic adverts, I wouldn't ever tell people how they should live their lives. For many, television is all they have. Let them be.
 

Also, there are channels without commercials. Yes, you have to pay something for most of them, but it really isn't very much, and compared to the amount it costs to eat in a restaurant, by a book, or even go to the movies, it's very cheap. On the streaming channels, you not only have no commercials, you have an endless choice of programs, movies, etc. to watch, rewatch fast forward, etc. I think it's the best bargain in town.
 
mvsimmons said:
But if you take a minute to think about it, you might be shocked at just how much of our lives is spent in front of a box. If you watch ten hours a day, that's three thousand six hundred and fifty hours a year. Times ten years is Thirty Six Thousand five hundred and if you live to be a hundred, you will have watched 365000 hours of TV. That's 15.208.33 years!

Even if you only watch half of that much, do you really think television's worth over seven and a half years of our time on earth? Now comes the kicker, I don't have the actual numbers to go by, but if around half of that is commercials, when you pass on you will have spent three to four years watching junk.

And the proverbial cherry is that you likely spend around a hundred American dollars a month just to be sold to. And by the time you've bought one of their products, you will have been tripled dipped and smothered in shame.

Moral of the story is, stop watching and start LIVING!
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You're painting with a pretty wide brush, there. I don't know anyone who watches anywhere near close to 10 hours of television a day, or even 5 hours a day. And as others have pointed out, if that's how someone opts to spend their time—well, that's their choice.
 
I understand the message you are trying to convey but people find ways to relax and unwind in many different ways. I know some people have stated on here they don't watch TV shows and good for them ! That's their choice. Personally, I enjoy unwinding at nights watching something on Netflix, Prime, etc. That is my choice and I am not harming anyone doing it.

I did a lot of LIVING when I was younger but now that I am older my definition of LIVING has changed some. My "at home time" has become more important to me these days and I am content staring at my screen at night watching whatever show I decide to binge watch.
 
I doubt anyone watches TV 10 hours per day.
Some people have it running in the background while doing other things.

Although I watch most programs without commercials - in commercial programs, one can do other things in the commercials - toilet break, make a cuppa, check your emails etc.

I think these 'add how much time in a lifetime' calculations are bit silly - I could add up how many minutes a lifetime I spent at bus stops, doing dishes, making the bed etc - doesn't really tell you anything.
Moral of the story isn't stop making beds and start living! :unsure:
 
Unless it is a college football game in season, I only watch TV when going to bed. While I would MUCH prefer not to watch a commercial, they indeed put me to sleep too :ROFLMAO:

What I chose to do for mindless entertainment is stream music wirelessly to my home stereo all day every day as background noise. I "listen" to worldwide radio stations and streaming channels that don't run commercials. All that time adds up to a few years too ;)
 
horseless carriage said:
Television gives the viewer accessible source of current affairs, and they can learn about diverse cultures. TV promotes family time, it's a source of low-cost entertainment, a good way to pass the time for the elderly, it's accessible for the disabled and it has negative health effects.
Whilst I have scant time for television, it has given hours of pleasure to the less well off, the housebound and the lonely. The adverts often insult our intelligence but the alternative, as we have in the UK, is a television licence, a tax in other words, that funds the BBC. Despite the licence and the pathetic adverts, I wouldn't ever tell people how they should live their lives. For many, television is all they have. Let them be.
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Hi HC,

Nice to meet you. Boy you Brits are more sensitive than how you're portrayed on tv. ;) In the US at least.

I'm going through a period of constant rebellion which is why I'm recruiting as many fellow-haters as possible. Besides, money's been traveling on a one way street for far to long and it's time make a u-turn and redistribute it to the masses by tossing it from every window and the sunroof.
 
Naturally said:
Unless it is a college football game in season, I only watch TV when going to bed. While I would MUCH prefer not to watch a commercial, they indeed put me to sleep too :ROFLMAO:

What I chose to do for mindless entertainment is stream music wirelessly to my home stereo all day every day as background noise. I "listen" to worldwide radio stations and streaming channels that don't run commercials. All that time adds up to a few years too ;)
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We're basically on the same page,TV has it's place and purpose within moderation. But it's no accident how many billionaire advertisers there are who are experts at making people believe they've reinvented the wheel and you can have the latest and greatest plus one for your grandma, but only if you pay extra for shipping and handling.
 
January said:
I doubt anyone watches TV 10 hours per day.
Some people have it running in the background while doing other things.

Although I watch most programs without commercials - in commercial programs, one can do other things in the commercials - toilet break, make a cuppa, check your emails etc.

I think these 'add how much time in a lifetime' calculations are bit silly - I could add up how many minutes a lifetime I spent at bus stops, doing dishes, making the bed etc - doesn't really tell you anything.
Moral of the story isn't stop making beds and start living! :unsure:
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I stopped making my bed when I turned nine... otherwise nice points.
 
MarkinPhx said:
I understand the message you are trying to convey but people find ways to relax and unwind in many different ways. I know some people have stated on here they don't watch TV shows and good for them ! That's their choice. Personally, I enjoy unwinding at nights watching something on Netflix, Prime, etc. That is my choice and I am not harming anyone doing it.

I did a lot of LIVING when I was younger but now that I am older my definition of LIVING has changed some. My "at home time" has become more important to me these days and I am content staring at my screen at night watching whatever show I decide to binge watch.
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Only thing I take exception to is variety doesn't stop being the spice of life ever. Get out of your comfort zone once in a while, even if you need to save and plan for the next big event in order to make it happen. I hope I'm wearing a snorkel when I take my last breath.
 
I can definitely relate to the OP's sentiment about living life more fully. I haven't watched TV in years and a few year ago disconnected my to and put it in the loft. May be it's time to sell it to someone who needs it more than me? For me, most TV feels mind numbing and hardly interactive, so I've chosen to spend my time differently.

Recently, I took a road trip around Europe from the UK, covering 2,770 miles in my own car. I deliberately got off the beaten track, exploring places I might never have discovered otherwise. It was an amazing experience that reminded me how much more fulfilling it can be to engage with the world directly rather than through a TV screen.

That said, I also see where @horseless carriage is coming from. Not everyone has the opportunity or ability to travel or seek out alternative forms of entertainment. For some, TV is a valuable source of connection, information, and comfort, whether due to limited means or health issues, or other commitments.

I suppose it's important for each of us to find our own balance between TV and other activities. For me, it's about finding ways to interact with the world that are more meaningful and less passive, whether that's traveling, reading, or just spending time with others. Even spending time on a forum like this can be more interactive than vegetating in front of a TV for too long. Let's recognize that everyone has different needs and circumstances and that TV can fulfill some of that, and let's not allow ourselves to be lectured on a discussion forum.

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mvsimmons said:
But if you take a minute to think about it, you might be shocked at just how much of our lives is spent in front of a box. If you watch ten hours a day, that's three thousand six hundred and fifty hours a year. Times ten years is Thirty Six Thousand five hundred and if you live to be a hundred, you will have watched 365000 hours of TV. That's 15.208.33 years!
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I've had a think about it, and there appears to be two decimal points in your conclusion, so it's not entirely clear to me whether you are saying 15,208.33 years, or 15.20833 years? I'd like to think its not just over 15 thousand years, so I'm thinking, Typo regarding the second decimal point.

As it happens, 365000 hours is 41.67 years, but I think I get your point. It's a lot of years in a lifetime, or would be if it's continuous. Although I can't imagine anyone sitting in front of a TV for ten hours a day, or even why someone would want to watch TV to that extent, regardless of personal circumstances.
 
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Off topic a bit...but I will return. I have noticed that people are suggesting a kind of behavior that they have we embraced as something special that helps them or makes them happier/better and then sharing it. Well, it worked for you and is working for you to feel good that's a for sure. But, it doesn't work that way for others, not matter what it is.

People all react differently to "being treated like a lady", or "Get off the couch and exercise" or "pray every morning and you will be blessed", or eat a certain food", and on and on. I have a particular problem that I get suggestions for by those who have the problem. It is a "rule" in the group that what you think is great, is not great for everyone. Pretty easy to understand. I don't understand why everyone should agree. Who cares how much TV one watches. You never know their circumstance, so you can't say it doesn't matter. Ridiculous.
 
Magna-Carta said:
I can definitely relate to the OP's sentiment about living life more fully. I haven't watched TV in years and a few year ago disconnected my to and put it in the loft. May be it's time to sell it to someone who needs it more than me? For me, most TV feels mind numbing and hardly interactive, so I've chosen to spend my time differently.

Recently, I took a road trip around Europe from the UK, covering 2,770 miles in my own car. I deliberately got off the beaten track, exploring places I might never have discovered otherwise. It was an amazing experience that reminded me how much more fulfilling it can be to engage with the world directly rather than through a TV screen.

That said, I also see where @horseless carriage is coming from. Not everyone has the opportunity or ability to travel or seek out alternative forms of entertainment. For some, TV is a valuable source of connection, information, and comfort, whether due to limited means or health issues, or other commitments.

I suppose it's important for each of us to find our own balance between TV and other activities. For me, it's about finding ways to interact with the world that are more meaningful and less passive, whether that's traveling, reading, or just spending time with others. Even spending time on a forum like this can be more interactive than vegetating in front of a TV for too long. Let's recognize that everyone has different needs and circumstances and that TV can fulfill some of that, and let's not allow ourselves to be lectured on a discussion forum.

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Yes, Magna Carta! It's reality. Isn't it wonderful!
 
I got rid of TV 13 years ago, not because I should be doing other things, but because I started hating it. I still laze away the hours streaming content from my computer. I've replaced one no-no with another, and I'm starting to think the advertisements, which accounted for half of my hatred of TV are even worse on my computer. Of course streaming services offer ad free options which I'm happy to pay for, and I do it in a heartbeat.
 

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